Disclaimer: I don't own none of the characters from Young Justice except for my Ocs.
Italic is for mind link, radio communication, and Atlantian language.
Enjoy 🙂
Downtime
=== Gotham City; August 27th, 6:17 EDT ===
The sounds of a fight are able to be heard outside an abandoned building. Kaldur is hit hard, his water bearers fell out of his hands as he continued to roll until he hit a garage door hard enough to dent it, the splatter of clay over his dark skin and his short blonde hair instantly give away the identity of his opponent. As he fell to the floor, his tattoos stop glowing.
Clayface walked past the rest of the Team who were all unconscious and covered in clay like Aqualad. Forcing himself to look up, he sees Clayface's shadow step into the light as he laughed. Then he watched as Clayface's left hand turn into a squared mace. As Clayface raise his arm to attack, a familiar shadow got larger as it gets closer to the glass ceiling. Suddenly, Batman crashed through the window and he caught his attention and he threw two batarangs at the villain. Only for them to be absorbed into his arm. For a moment, until they exploded and completely destroy his arm.
As Batman lands in a crouch position, Clayface strikes once more, but Batman jumped back to avoid the hit. Pulling out a high powered taser that sticks to the right side of Clayface's chest and continued to send electricity through the villain until he loses his form entirely. Batman's eyes narrow as he stands. Zeroing in on the one person still conscious.
=== Mount Justice; August 27th, 7:58 EDT ===
Batman faces the Team as they walk through the Zeta Tube and into the Mountain. Everyone was cover in Clayface's clay and they all was looking at him with a disappointed look on their face because the League had come to save them once again.
"I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers and head home." Batman said.
"Head home? I am home." Superboy said.
He looked annoyed.
"Just Aqualad." Batman said, darkly.
He was looking at his own protégé. Robin looked up to Kaldur, who return the look. Looking into the cave to keep his eyes away from Batman's gazes as he walked past him. He looked over his shoulder for a second, not even slowing his steps, his eyes fell to the floor as Batman keeps his focus fully on Aqualad.
"I am sorry you had to intervene." Kaldur spoke. "I know the team performed poorly."
"The team performed adequately." Batman interrupt, darkly. "The problem was you. You're their leader, and your head wasn't in the game."
Kaldur instantly denies the accusation from his mind.
"No, you are... correct. Of late, I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world. For so many years, it filled my every thought. But now that I am here, my dreams are all of Atlantis." Kaldur said.
"Atlantis... or someone you left behind?" Batman asked.
Kaldur's eyes instantly shoot up, stunned into silence.
"You can split your time between the surface and the sea. But not your mind. Either you're here one hundred percent or you need to walk away. Make a decision, Kaldur, and make it soon." Batman told him.
With that say, Batman leaves Aqualad alone with
his thoughts.
=== Poseidonis; August 27th, 13:00 UTC-2 ===
Recognize: Aqualad; B-0-2
Aqualad materializes in the ornate Zeta Tube, thought standing as he does, the second he is solid he begins to swim through the halls. He found Aquaman was waiting for him.
"Greetings, Kaldur'ahm." Aquaman greeted.
"King Orin." Kaldur said.
He raised his hand to his forebhead.
"The queen and I are hosting an intimate dinner tonight. Will you attend?" Orin said.
"Your Majesty... There is someone... special... I had hoped to see tonight."
Orin chuckles lightly.
"You may invite a friend." Orin told him.
Kaldur smiled.
"Thank you, my king." Kaldur said.
As they part way, Kaldur went right and Orin went left.
"Until tonight." Orin said.
Aqualad swims passes a female student making a seahorse in her hand as a boy with a dolphin tail in comparison to feet his partner shares with Kaldur. As well a young boy who has an anthropoid appearance, but green skin. Reciting the water magic bend and spin to his will. The kids were trying to out shine each others.
"Oh, I'll never finish in time!"
The young octopus man used magic to make some of the floating squares before him to line up and finish a segment of the stone. Aqualad comes to a casual stop behind him.
"Topo, the workmanship is magnificent." Kaldur said.
"Kaldur!" Topo gasped. "Wait. Wait. Watch, listen."
He raised his hand and filling the stone with magic. The images started to move on its own. The time shows Orin losing to an adversarry wielding lightning and a trident.
"Our beloved King was at the mercy of the vile Ocean Master. But two young students. Kaldur'ahm and Garth intervened, allowing the Aquaman to triumph. Impressed with their valor, Aquaman offered both young heroes the opportunity to be his protégé. Garth chose to continue his studies at the Conservatory of Sorcery, but the brave accepted his King's offer and became... Aqualad." Topo narrated.
Kaldur smiled sadly. Topo looked at him with a worry look on his face..
"Kaldur? I mean Aqualad?" Topo asked.
Kaldur does not pull his eyes away from the stone.
"Oh. It is very good." Kaldur said.
"Oh, thank you. Um, do you think it's alright that I put myself in? I know I was not really there, but I-"
"It is fine. Do you know where I might find Tula now? And Garth?" Aqualad asked.
"The roof, at their studies." Topo replied.
He swam towards the Conservatory Sorcery. There was two figures circling each other, using magic to launch spheres at each other. Both of them unable to hit the other. There was young male teen with dark blue hair, half tined up in a wolf-tail with purple eyes. He wore a sapphire blue shorts and tank while an almost berry blue with bright arctic blue edging and designs act as tasksets on either side of his hips. The two meet, to form a belt and he also wears one that comes tightly around his shoulders and ribs, but not inhibiting movement.
As he jumped back, his tattoos on his arms glow white blue and another orb forms his hands. Releasing it, the orb forms a blast of energy that his opponent barely dodged by turning away and going under it.
She had tan skin with auburn hair and sea foam green eyes. Wearing a lemon yellow halter top, that shares the same arctic blue for her edging and low-V design coloring as her opponent's own clothing. Her ocean blue tie-off skirt covers her matching bottoms and she had matching yellow braces that come to a point over the back of her hands and insteps on her feet and shins. Her own tattos glowing bright down her arms and over her pelvic bones.
As the spell dissipates she finishes her circle and two orbs form in her own hands, that she fires rapidly after each other, the first being a single shot her opponent dodges under, while the second requires both her hands that she uses to spiral at her opponent's crouched form. Yet, he pushes off the ground, into an open back flip. Which he lands smoothly, but into another crouch as he puts up a shield to block her next attack.
Behind his turned back, was a woman who was observing them, she is paler than the other girl but noticeably older than the two teens, she has a crown in her red hair, while all her clothing. Though not too different from the teen's is all in shades of green. A tied dark green bikini top and collar match her tie-off skirt that is tied to her left him, she wore a bright green half cape that connect to her collar then flowing over her shoulder. Then under her skirt, there was cape that split in two to flow by each knee. Her hands on her narrow hips.
"Your technique is excellent but your choices remain predictable. Combat sorcery requires... improvisation"
The woman saw Kaldur rise over the roof's edge because he was swimming towards the teacher and her students.
"Kaldur'ahm. Oh, so good to see you."
Both her students look the same direction as her, stunned. The girls own tattoos fade as well as her breaks into a happy smile and a joyous cry of his name. She smiles as he swims closer, the two make eye contact for a moment, but as the other male and the teacher swim up he stands before her as her two students remain behind him.
"Apologies, my queen. I did not mean to interrupt." Kaldur said
The Queen smiles.
"It is well. I have another class. Will I see you at dinner?" The queen asked.
"Yes, your majesty." Kaldur replied.
"We shall talk then." The queen decides.
She swims back inside which leaving the three teens alone. Kaldur turns to the other two teens.
"You look well, Kaldur." Tula said.
"Yes, surface life agrees with you." Garth agreed.
Kaldur looked the both of them with a curious look on his face.
"You speak as if I have been gone for years, but it has only been-" Kaldur begins.
"Two months." Tula and Garth said.
"That long?" Kaldur asked.
He was surprise that he had been gone for so long.
"Then I must make for lost time." Kaldur muttered, "Tula, would you accompany me to dinner tonight at the palace."
His friends exchange a look that doesn't go unnoticed, however, their frowns seem to. As Kaldur turns to Garth as well.
"I wish I could invite you as well." Kaldur told him.
Her place his hand on Garth's shoulder and gave him a disappointed look which Garth smiled and shook his head.
"I made that choice long ago." Garth responded.
"We have another class, but I will see you tonight." Tula said.
Then the two of them took off. Kaldur watched them leave, and a small smile raised on the right side of his face.
"You have to tell him." Garth told her.
They both continued to swim towards their classes. Tula had a sad look on her face because she knew that Kaldur was going to be heartbroken when he finds out.
=== Elsewhere ===
In another part of Poseidonis, the science center, a scientist talks about whatever is frozen inside a block of ice above his and man's head.
It is disturbing, to say the least. The creature is frozen. Has been frozen for millennia. Yet, somehow, it still lives. We have even detected brainwaves.
They were looking at the frozen creature and the scientist turned to the dark male.
"Needless to say, Prince Orm, the study of this find has become the science center's highest priority."
Then a female guard had arrived to the two men.
"All security protocols are in place. No unauthorized personnel gets in or out."
"Excellent." Orm said.
He looked at the starfish.
=== Mount Justice ===
Static sounds throughout the room, Superboy was sitting on the couch while M'gann stands in the kitchen, reading a cookbook. Smiling as she looks up. She looked a little confused. Danny was off doing his own thing which he didn't want to stay in the base feeling bore out his mind.
"Would you like me to turn that on?" M'gann asked.
Superboy was merely looking at the TV screen that has no signal. His eyebrows drop slightly.
"No." Superboy said.
"Well, would you like to help me make dinner?" M'gann asked.
"No." Superboy answered.
He stood up and turn to walk around the couch to the kitchen before he even finished his response. Walking into the kitchen, a frown formed on his face, M'gann smiles at him as she lifts her cookbook and heads towards the island in the center of the kitchen.
"Uh, let's see... We're going to need some brown sugar." M'gann said.
Suerboy instinctively ducks as he hears the cabinet open over his head, looking rather confused as the brown sugar floats down and practically into his hand.
"a little butter, some salt, cooking oil, vinegar, a few eggs, couple tomatoes, some milk, a bowl of flour, and two cups of-"
She stopped for a moment and turned around to see that Superboy cover in cluttered.
"Oops. I'm so sorry. I should have paid more attention. It was too much at once. Too much at once. Hello Megan." M'gann rambled.
She started to clean some of the mess off Superboy. She continued ot rambel on about her mess because she is nervous around Superboy.
"that's so me. I... uh..."
She freezes as he looks down at her making eye contact. Red tornado's loud steps announced his presence as he walks down the hall. M'gann was stading alone in the kitchen, chopping a red onion. With a small splatter on the edge of the counter and tomatoes in a wood container off to the right of her cutting board, and some already chopped onions in a bowl. He looked over to see Superboy who a mess was still, not even having it out of his hair which sat on the couch watching the static on the TV. The android turned around without saying a word and walked back down the hall.
Danny was walking into the room with a six caught fish in his hands. He was looking at Superboy which made him puzzle for a bit. He looked over at M'gann for a moment because he noticed that she was blushing. He raise an brow at the both of them.
"Did I miss something here?" Danny asked.
=== Atlantis ===
Outside of Poseidonis a black drill pierces the ocean floor. From the hole comes two figures covered in black armor from head to toe. Two Atlantean guards noticed them instantly.
"Halt intruders!"
They fired shots from their staffs which the intruders which they started to swim, away. The guards started to make chase, only to be struck by a third intruder wielding a gun that shoots red lasers. That causes electricity to spark around their forms on contact. The third follows the other two all three looking over the two crates. One of the guards falls, but grab a fallen staff, but before he could do anything the armored foot lands on his back pinning him to the ocean floor. The one that was stand triumph is one Aquaman's sworn enemy goes by the name Black Manta.
"That was careless, Alpha squad. Don't let it happen again." Black Manta said.
"No, sir."
Black Manta raises his hand to his helmet to contact his teams.
"All squads, report." He commanded.
"Beta squad, ready."
"Gamma squad, ready."
"Delta squad, ready."
"Epsilon squad, ready."
The leader lands before the tree before him.
"Phase-one complete. Initiate Phase-two." Black Manta ordered.
A closed carriage with a large tail on the end takes off through the open water just over the tops of the buildings, guards standing outside and swimming on patrol. On small pillar, away from the prying eye, a black hand places a small spearhead shaped device, then hit the red button.
From the seaweeds two soldiers stand ready, one bringing his head to his helmet.
"All squads, report; Manta Stings in place and ready. Phase-two complete."
=== Gotham City; August 27th, 20:04 EDT ===
Outside Wayne Manor owl hoots. While inside, more specifically in the gym, a young boy named Dick Grayson was practicing their acrobatics in the mansion's gym. He was thinking about what Batman had said to him when the team went back to their normal duties.
"Just Aqualad." Dick mumbled.
He did a backflip which he expected to land gracefully on the beam but falling down instead. He quickly recovered by back springing but ran into a wall. Bruce watch Dick and he could tell that he was upset for some reason. Then he had send it butler named Alfred Pennyworth to retrieve Dick. Dick was sitting on a bench with a towel around his neck. Alfred cleared his throat to get Dick's attention.
"Master Bruce wishes to see you." Alfred informed.
Dick had a confuse look on his face. He got up and followed Alfred. The butler led him to the basketball court, where Bruce threw a ball at Dick which he caught it with ease.
"What's this?" Dick asked.
"Training. Hand-eye coordination." Bruce said.
Dick smirked.
"One on one.?" Dick asked.
Bruce smirked as well.
"If you can handle it" Bruce said.
Then dick quickly passed the ball. The two of them engaged in a game while they didn't notice that Alfred's warm smile.
=== Poseidonis, August 27, 19:23 UTC-2 ====
"A gigantic echinoderm, frozen, yet still alive. Of course, at this point our adata is quite limited but Dr. Voldko thinks the creature is very promising." Prince Orm told them.
Kaldur leaned in to Tula.
"I am considering rejoining you at the Conservatory."
Tula did not look too excited but Queen Mera heard the whole thing.
"You realize you left your studies a long time sorcery skills have not yet up to pace. you would no longer be in Tula's class or Garth's." Queen Mera informed.
Kaldur looked down sadly but this did not discourage him.
"Perhaps i will require a tutor." Kaldur said.
He looked at Tula who took a bite of her food, when he looked away again, but Tula did not smile.
=== Central City; August 27, 20:05 CDT ===
"Here, let me get that." Barry allen said.
He started clearing the table with his speed. Wally quickly finished his plate and stood up. Barry quickly took it and to the Kitchen.
"Thanks Uncle Barry." Wally said.
He followed his uncle.
"You're welcome, Kid." Barry replied.
Then Wally's mother was looking at Iris for a moment with a smile.
"You're a lucky lady, It is. Our Wally certainly isn't that fast, not when it comes to clearing the table."
Wally looked at his mother for a moment.
"Mom!" Wally yelled.
Then elder woman named Joan had a spoke up. "Neither is my Jay, believe."
Jay looked at her with a look.
"Really?" Jay asked.
"I know, I know. You're a retired speedster and since it's your birthday we won't argue." Joan said.
"Wally's fast when he wants to be. We're suddenly out of ice cream." Barry said.
He came out of the kitchen with the a cake.
Wally's mother looked through the kitchen doorway. She caught him with a sppon in his mouth and an empty two-quart carton in his hands.
"Wally!"
"Uh... Happy birthday." Wally said.
=== Poseidonis, August 27, 20:10 UTC-2 ===
King Orin and Queen Mera stood up with excitement in their eyes.
"We have an announcement. I vam with child." Queen Mera said.
She smiled. Then Tula stood with both of her hands together.
"Oh, that is wonderful!" Tula said.
She hugged her teacher. Kaldur swam forwards and clamped a hand on King Orin's shoulder.
"Congratulations. An heir to the throne at last!" Aqualad said.
Prince Orm stood up and Kladur bowed his head in shame.
"Apologies Prince Orm, I did not mean-"
"No fear Kaldur. No one can be more thrilled at this news than I!" Prince Orm said.
"Thank you, brother. King Orin said.
He turned to face both Tula and Kaldur.
"Thanks to you all!" King Orin said.
And with no hesitation, King Orin and Mera started making out. Prince Orm looked away with a teasing look and Kaldur looked at Tula. Then suddenly, King Orin's com went off.
"Superman to Aquaman. League emergency in Tokyo Bay. Rendez-vous at the Watchtower." Superman said.
King Orin pressed his com.
"Acknowledged. It seems I must take my leave." King Orin said.
He turned his attention to Kaldur.
"Swim with me." King Orin told him.
Kaldur nodded his head and they both started to swam towards the Zeta-Portal.
"Batman has made me aware of your dilemma." King Orin said.
Kaldur jerked in surprise and looked away in shame.
"I know from personal experience that it can be difficult to live there and love here." King Orin said.
He knew what Kaldur was feeling because he had to work on the surface and be away from the Atlantis. They both stopped in front of the Zeta-Portal.
"Recognized. Aquaman; 06."
King Orin turned to Kladur and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I am confident that you will make the right choice." King Orin said.
Kaldur smiled and saluted his mentor. Aquaman nodded and swam into the portal. Kaldur turned away and swam back to Tula. Once he was further away from the Zeta-tube, Black Manta's troops appeared behind some o of the pillars, leaving the palace guards unaware.
"Omega Squad is in position. Initiate Phase Three."
Kaldur and Tula swam side by side through a garden
"There is something I must-" Tula and Kaldur said.
The both started to laugh as they both came to a stop. Tula want to say something first, but Kaldur was going to be the first to speak.
Please Tula, I have made a decision. To stay in Atlantis. With you. Because of you." Kaldur said.
He grabbed her hand. Tula turned away from him.
"Kaldur, I'm sorry. We wanted to tell you sooner, but Garth and I... We are... Together." Tula told him.
Kaldur looked down and he had a sad look on his face. He felt that his heart had broken into million pieces because the love of his life had been taken by his best friend. Then suddenly, there was an explosion which cause both Tula and Kaldur look towards the direction and they both looked utter shocked.
The palace guards started going around the city, trying to find people trapped in the rubble, and then rescue them. It was a big shocker when Black Manta's troops started firing laser guns and rocket launchers. Kaldur appeared with his water-bearers and tula with her magic. They easily started defeating them.
"Alpha squad, Calling in for reinforcements!"
Troops appeared at the palace. Queen Mera and some her guards went out to join them as well. Queen Mera made shields to protect herself and shot violet magic-made octopus tentacles at them. They easily started taking the troops out. Prince Orm appeared, shooting at the troops that were shooting at Queen Mera and him. The queen raised a violet shield that looked like a manta ray. Tula gathered a blue electrified ball in her hands and threw it at the guards trying to break Queen Mera's shield. Tula and Kaldur attacked the troops.
"This attack was precision planned. The initial explosions were lured our patrols into ambush." Kaldur explained.
He used one of his water bearer as a wing mace while he use the other to form a shield to protect himself from the lasers. Tula unleash a powerful blast which destroying the columns in the process and knocking the troops out. She flew by Queen Mere, who used her manta ray shield to knockout more incoming troops. Kaldur use a one-handed combat style to take few mores and he use his water bearer to conqueror up a whip to grab a boulder and pulled it down on more troops. Then Tula created a vortex which it sucked some of the troops and they were spilled out from the other end and into the other squad members.
"Tula!" Garth called out.
He swamed out to join the fight, but little did he know that theree was a Manta trooper behind him. He took aim at the young boy.
"Garth, look out!" Tula said.
The trooper had a perfect but Tula swma in front of the shot wbich she took the blast.
"No" Garth screamed.
He genlty laid her down. Kaldur turned around to see that Tula had hurt which he was shocked to see.
"Tula!" Kaldur yelled.
He swam towards the trooper that shot her, but Mera stood in his way because she wasn't going to let another one of her student to get hurt. The trooper started shooting at the queen, but every shot was deflected by octopus tentacle. The queen's tattoos started to glow on her arms, hands, and face and she started to take the troops out. Then she was entwined two tentacles as a shield which more of Black Manta's troops came but they were no match for the Queen of Atlantis.
"Surface communications are down. We cannot reach King Orin! Summon more troops to the palace." Prince Orm ordered.
"The palace was not the only target. i witnessed explosions in sectors one, two, three, and five." Garth told him.
"Nothing in sector four?" Kaldur asked.
He wam forwards get the view of the city and he saw that some parts of the city were in flames while the Science center was left untouched.
"Explosions all over the city except for where the Science Center is located, where your giant sea star is stored." Kaldur told Prince Orm.
"Then it is all a diversion. But with the King away, i must protect the Queen and the heir." Prince Orm said.
"I need no protectuion! Go!" Queen Mera said.
"No Mera. If you suffered any injury, my brother would never forgive me." Prince Orm said.
"The Prince is right, My Queen. This battle is mine." Kaldur said.
He narrow his eyes and swam forwards.
"And mine." Garth said.
Kaldur looked at Garth with a serious glare.
"Your place is with Tula." Kaldur told him.
Kladur use his water bearers to fight his way through the chaos. He headed towards the Science Center.
=== Gotham City; August 27, 22:06 EDT ===
Artemis listened to the TV while she was inspecting her arrows. her mother, Paula Crock, who came into the room in her wheelchair and she turned off the TV which got Artemis' attention.
"This came in the mail for you." Paula said, excitedly.
"You opened it? Mom!" Artemis complained
She took the paper from her mother's hands.
"Just read it." Paula exclaimed
Artemis looked at the paper and she saw that that it was from Wayne Foundation.
"I've been awarded a full Wayne Foundation scholarship to the Gotham Academy? But I didn't apply." Artemis said.
She looked confuse for a moment because she things it is a little ominous that she was accepted into Gotham Academy. Paula was still smiling because this was going be a big step for her daughter.
"It's not that kind of Scholarship! You qualify or don't! Gotham Academy is very prestigious! You should be thrilled!' Paula explained.
Artemis crumbled up the paper and threw it away.
"Yeah, I'm not switching schools. All my friends are at Gotham North." Artemis said.
Paula picked up the paper and un-crumbled it. She grabbed the arrow Artemis had in her hand.
"You're going or you can give up your extracurriculars." Paula threatened.
Artemis stood up with a smirk and grabbed her arrow back.
"Mom, don't make threats you can't enforce." Artemis said, with a teased.
She walked away, but Paula grabbed her arm.
"Artemis, this is a chance to better your life!" Paula yelled.
She slammed her arm on the arm of her wheelchair. Artemis softened once she saw her mother's tears.
"A chance I never had..." Paula said.
Artemis bent down and put a hand on her mothers.
"Okay, mom. I'll go. I'll go for you." Artemis said.
Paula looked up with a smile and hugged her daughter as tight as she could. Artemis frowned because she knew that this was going to hard for her friends.
=== Poseidonis, August 27, 22:23 UTC-2 ===
The guards at the Science Center tried to defend the sea star but they were overpowered by Black Manta's forces. Inside the Center, Dr. Vulko and guards stand before the Sea Star. The guards shooting at the intruders. They concentrate fire on Black Manta as he breaks through the floor with no weapons. When an explosion goes off behind them, knocking them off balance and giving the flank time to shoot them in the backs. Black Manta shoots one with his red eyes of his helmet.
"Objective secured." Black Manta stated.
He observes the unconscious or worse off Atlantean.
"Manta sub, initiate Phase four." Black said.
Above the glass top of the Science Center a giant sub, properly named for its manta shape, comes to a stop over the building. It's belly opening to reveal a laser that instanly takes charge and fires at the glass. Kladur reaches out and taps a key code that opens a hidden entrance. Sensing a presence behind him, he reaches up, grabbing his water bearer as he turns. Though he stopped, when he saw it was Garth.
"You should be with Tula." Kaldur said.
"The Queen watches over Tula and sent me after you." Garth conveys.
Kaldur nods, before heading into the entrance without a word. Inside the chamber, the soldiers tie cables around the Sea Star, once they are finished they signal to their leader and watch as the laser melts through the glass.
"Check the perimeter. Once the sub melts through the dome, we take our prize and go." Black Manta commanded.
Two soldiers behind him head off to follow his orders. Both Kaldur and Garth move quietly through the halls. Kaldur suddenly drops behind Garth.
"You have a plan?" Garth asked.
He turned around to see that Kaldur isn't beside him. Coming to a stop just before an intersection of hallways.
"Kaldur?" Garth called out.
Then two of Manta's men appear, taking aim at Garth. Only for Kaldur to drop on the right one's head and hit the other with his mace. Garth's eyes are wide in shock, his mouth open.
"I too have my studies." Kaldur told him.
He had a smug look on his face. The two soldiers enter through a hole in the ground, the second even saluting the leader, while the first heads forward undeterred. Black Manta looks their way, not overlooking the two handles at his hip. The two reach the cables, looking up at the laser that is still working its way through the dome.
"Impressive, is it not?" Black Manta asked. "Aqualad."
Aqualad shoots the gun at him, just barely missing, Garth starts to shoot as well, as Black Manta swims around the edge of the dome, then shoot at the both of them with his eyes from his helmet. Hitting both teens, knocking them back. Manta aims for a second shot but hits the wall over their heads. Aqualad instantly reaches up to remove the helmet, taking his water bearers out as well. Turning them into twin swords to block the incoming shots. He blocks two more shots and dodges one from another soldier, while Manta aims straight for his head. Aqualad ducks under the two shot, turning his right sword into a whip that wraps around the soldier's leg which he uses to pull the soldier in front of Manta's next shot.
"Such a waste. You really have no ambition beyond serving Aquaman? Arent schools of other willing to die for their King? This fool, for example." Black Manta said.
Aqualad turns his attention to Garth, who has just managed to get his helmet off. Aqualad and Black Manta move at the same time, Manta fired two shots at Garth, while Kaldur wraps his whips around Garth and pulls him away from the shots. Then the two of them took cover under the archway. Kaldur turns to the ravenette, grabbing the front of his armor and forcing him up to his eye level and against the wall.
"Garth. Get your head in the game." Kaldur told him
Kaldur didn't give him no time to respond as he grabs one of his water bearers and swam out from behind their cover, using the bearer as a shield to block their shots. Gritting his teeth, Garth watched him go, before drawing his hands together. Blue magic already beginning to form into his hands.
"I summon the power of the Tempest." Garth called out.
As the magic respond to his command, it increases in thickness and brightness before he turn the corner of the archway. He fired a laser beam-like shot at Manat and his closest henchmen. Manta managed to dodge, but the henchmen got hit and swirl around the funnel. Just as the laser melt through the dome. The laser moves up and to the left inside the belly of the Manta Sub, as a hook and line take its place. Lowering through the hole towards the Sea Star.
Manta saw the hook drop, just as he saw Aqualad cut the through two of his henchmen. When the teen tries to hit him, Manta delivered a strong uppercut to knock him back. As the teen regain his balance, Black Manta fired shots from his helmet at him. Kaldur transform his swords into a shield to block the attack, while Garth came in front of his friend on his right and unleashes lightning magic at the enemy.
The attack was narrowly dodged by Black Manta and his remaining henchman. From the shoulder his suit comes a small missile launcher. Two were shot at the teens. It hit Garth's magic, before shrouding them in blackness. The henchman raises his long gun to take aim at the teens despite the murk.
"Forget them. Get the job done." Manta commanded.
Lowering his gun and he took off towards the Sea Star. From the murk, Kaldur emerge which going for a double slash at Black Manta. But Manta avoid the attack. He looked down at the teen and he fire off shots from his helmet. This time Kaldur was prepared, turning one of his water bearers into a rotating shield that lets him swim towards the source with less resistance.
Within arm's reach, Kaldur turns his shield back into a sword and attempting a pair of downward strikesat Manta. Manta drop down and kick Kaldur in the stomach once he is overhead. Trying to fire a shot at his back, which Kaldur retaliates with a slash from his left water bearer. Manta kick his side once more, knocking the teen out of striking range before firing at him again. Gritting his teeth, Kaldur turns towards Manta, turning his water bearers into a rotating shield.
While on the floor, Garth was avoiding shots from a henchman, by hiding behind the pillar. Then he fired a small, accurate lightning strikes. The second henchman goes to the top of the Sea Star, connecting the hook to the cables that the others had set in place.
"Garth the cable." Kaldur called out.
The pale teen is narrowly avoiding getting shot but can see that the Sea Star was raising from the pedestal. Avoiding a shot that is way too close for comfort, he conjures another spell in his hands. Aiming right for the hook. the spell hit its mark, taking out the henchman as well as dropping the Sea Star back to the pedestal. which it crushes under the weight, but the ice break as well. releasing an arm of the Star into the water. The sound caught Manta's attention in an instant. He watches as the arm twitches slightly before going limp again.
He swims towards the Star, forgetting that Aqualad is behind him. Kaldur uses this to his advantage and turn his water bearers into whips and used one to catch Manta's left leg, and the other wrapping around his chest to pin his arms at his sides. Straining against Manta's struggles, Kaldur sends electricity through the water bearers. Manta fight against it, breaking free with enough force which knocking Kaldur into a wall.
"If I can't have it, NO ONE CAN!" Manta shouted.
He turned to the Star and fired another missile at the pedestal. The explosion erupts quickly and massively, shattering computer screens and forming fire despite being below the surface. Garth get in front of Kaldur and raises his hand as if to prepare a speel. While the dome of the building blew out ice breaks apart from the floor of the Science Center to reveal both Garth and Kaldur, un harmed, but alone. Above their heads, the Manta sub takes off through a hole in the dome of Poseidonis.
=== Poseidonis; September 3rd, 21:08 UTC-2 ===
"Our city was heavily damaged. And many Atlanteans were injured. But it could've been far worse. I am grateful to you all." King Orin said.
He places his hand over his wife's stomach as she places her hand over his .
Prince Orm approach the King of Atlantis.
"This contains all that survived." Prince Orm said.
He present a small glass container that ift in the palm of his hand. Inside it was what remain of the Sea Star.
"it is already regenerating. The Star require further research. With the Dome compromised we cannot safely secure, or study it here in Atlantis." Prine Orm said.
He looked to Kaldur.
"Perhaps the Surface World can do better." Prince Orm suggested.
"I'm sure they will be eager to try. Kaldur." King Orin said.
He looked at his partner. The teen steps up, raising his fist to his forehead.
"Call me Aqualad, my King." Kaldur said.
Orin just smiled at his partner because Kaldur had made is decision to return to the surface. Then he, Mera, and Prince Orm started to leave to give the two teen alone with their friend.
"Kaldur -I-we- that is..." Tula stumbled.
She couldn't find the proper word to tell Kaldur. Though Kaldur knew what she was trying to say. He placed a hand on her shoulder and Garths.
"I wish you both, nothing but the best." Kaldur told them.
He gave one finaly hug before he heads to the Zeta tube, but he stop for a moment to look back over his shoulder at Garth.
"Have you ever wondered what would have happened if I had stayed behind and you had become Aqualad?" Kaldur asked.
"Never." Garth tells him.
"No, neither have I." Kaldur agrees.
"Recognize; Aqualad B02"
The Zeta Tube started to glow and Kaldur disappeared as he walk through the Zeta Tube..
=== The Cave ===
Continuing as he walk out of the Zeta Tube in Mount Justice. Batman stood in the center of the room. He was typing away on the holo-screens that look like keyboard.
"Made you decision?" Batman asked.
He continued to type on the keyboard without stopping or look up.
"The decision is made. I am here. One hundred percent." Kaldur said strongly.
The team started walking into and they were geared up and ready to on his command.
"Just in time for your next mission." Batman said.
Kaldur nods, the team came to a pause as they listen to Batman.
"The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyan Desert." Batman said.
=== Manta Sub ===
Deep in water, the Manta Sub continues on its journey away from Atlantis. Black Manta stands before the white bodied screens of the Light.
"I was unable to secure the objective, and with forced to execute plan B." Black informed them.
"You did well. Everything falls into place."
Next time: Bereft
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